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Practicum Education: What To Expect

Learn about our practicum education, including how it works and how it supports your professional development. 

Overview

Practicum is a vital part of your education and the signature pedagogy of Pitt’s MSW program. As a Part-Time Online MSW student, you’ll apply classroom learning in real-world settings during your practicum experiences, developing essential skills that help you navigate complex social work challenges and make a meaningful impact in the communities you serve. You’ll complete two practicum experiences—a generalist experience focused on foundational social work practice and a specialization experience emphasizing practice with individuals, families and groups. 

What’s Required

Practicum education at Pitt SSW requires a total of 1,080 hours: 360 hours for the generalist experience and 720 hours for the specialization experience. During the semesters when you have a practicum placement, you’ll spend approximately 12–16 hours per week at your site putting into practice the skills learned in the classroom. You and your practicum advisor will collaboratively identify sites that best meet your learning objectives and support your schedule.

How Placement Works

Step 1

Complete Your Practicum Request Form

You’ll indicate your professional areas of interest and provide information about your educational background, experience, transportation, scheduling availability and more.

Step 2

Identify a Placement Site With Your Advisor

Collaborate with your practicum advisor to identify agency sites accessible from your local geographic area that support your goals and meet the required CSWE competency standards. With over 500 placement sites available, you’re likely to find options that align with your unique requirements.

Step 3

Allow Your Advisor To Coordinate Your Placement

Your practicum advisor will lead the placement process in accordance with agency contractual agreements, overseeing all aspects from initial contact to placement.

Step 4

Begin Your Practicum

Begin your generalist placement in the second semester of your first year. Your specialized placement will take place during your third year.

Where You’ll Be Placed

Your placement will align with your professional goals and can support career pathways in gerontology, substance abuse, child welfare, mental health and many other areas. Our students have completed practicum experiences at schools, healthcare organizations, senior living facilities, mental health agencies, detention centers and rehabilitation hospitals. You’ll collaborate with your practicum advisor to evaluate your goals and community needs and help secure a placement that’s right for you.

Specialized Practicum Experience

Tailored Placements for Targeted Impact

Students pursuing a certificate in one of the program’s four focus areas will complete practicum work that aligns with their certificate. 

Children, Youth and Families

Populations you’ll serve:

  • Infants and toddlers
  • Children
  • Adolescents
  • Families

Sample placements:

  • Child welfare agencies
  • Schools and educational programs
  • Youth and family service organizations
  • Community centers

Integrated Healthcare

Populations you’ll serve:

  • Children and adolescents
  • Adults
  • Older adults

Sample placements:

  • Hospitals and primary care clinics
  • Integrated health systems
  • Mental health and behavioral health clinics
  • Long-term care facilities

Mental Health

Populations you’ll serve:

  • Children and adolescents
  • Adults
  • Older adults

Sample placements:

  • Community mental health centers
  • Inpatient psychiatric facilities
  • Substance use treatment centers
  • Private practice settings

Gerontology

Populations you’ll serve:

  • Older adults
  • Families of older adults

Sample placements:

  • Senior living communities and retirement centers
  • Mental health settings
  • Community-based family service agencies
  • Hospitals, hospices and long-term facilities

“I work with patients of all different populations and at all stages of recovery. I collaborate with nurses, doctors, security, providers, CYF caseworkers, parole/probation officers, advocates, families and more. It has been such a positive experience for me—and is absolutely preparing me for my future practice as a social worker.”

— Maria Veltre, Master of Social Work, Class of 2025

“My placement has been amazing, giving me the chance to learn and grow in so many areas of social work. It’s helped me build real-world skills and has me feeling more confident and ready for whatever comes next in my career.”

— Ashleigh Trudell, Master of Social Work, Class of 2025

“My placement is at an adult trauma facility. It’s been incredible to work in a major hospital system serving adults who have experienced complex trauma and often have other mental health care needs. Completing intake assessments, planning and facilitating treatment processes and treatment termination have been both rewarding and meaningful to my growth as a social worker. I’m confident in my ability to function at this professional level due to the mentorship and learning I’ve gained in this program.”

— L. Harley Bobst, Master of Social Work, Class of 2025

“My placement has been the best part of my first semester. I learn so many new things every day, and I’m getting to have a variety of experiences, including emotional support sessions, resource coordination, home visits and more. My supervisor is incredibly knowledgeable, and the other social workers on the team have been welcoming and supportive. I will be a better and more competent social worker from my time here.”

— Caitlin Sanders, Master of Social Work, Class of 2026

“My placement is at a community behavioral health organization for adolescents and transition-aged youth ages 12–22. As a therapy intern, I only have the most positive things to say about the community I serve. My daily tasks include providing brief support for clients in person and virtually, completing intakes, one-on-one therapy and group therapy in Pittsburgh Public Schools, all of which have provided me with amazing skills and experience I’ll use after graduation.”

— Kyle Brignall, Master of Social Work, Class of 2025

“Practicum education is a cornerstone of the MSW program, offering students learning opportunities essential for becoming effective and compassionate social workers. At Pitt, our strong partnerships with community organizations enable students to engage with diverse populations and a host of pressing social issues. These experiences enrich their professional journey and prepare them to make meaningful impacts in their communities and beyond.”

— Tonya Slawinski, Director of Practicum Education

A Strong Support System

Your practicum education is an opportunity to apply your knowledge in real-world settings and refine the skills essential for a successful career. We’re committed to your success and will provide valuable guidance, feedback and mentorship through our team of practicum faculty and social work professionals.

Interested in Learning More About the MSW Practicum?

Connect with the enrollment team today.  

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Where Social Work Meets Social Justice

At Pitt, we’re committed to transforming our world, our future and ourselves.

We develop and sustain collaborative partnerships to understand, prevent and ameliorate complex social problems with innovative approaches that promote justice and equity.

Learn more about the social work experience at Pitt